Hugh Jackman Mourns Dad, Christopher John Jackman, Who Died on Australia's Father's Day

Hugh Jackman Christopher John Jackman Hugh Jackman's father Australia Father's Day Ryan Reynolds Australia england Grace McNeil Hugh Jackman's family Hugh Jackman's parents traumatic childhood

By Lilian Scott , Parent Herald Sep 07, 12:58 am

Photo: (Photo : Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)

Wolverine actor and Hollywood superstar Hugh Jackman was mourning his father's death, Christopher John Jackman, on the day Australia was celebrating Father's Day.

In a post on Instagram, Hugh wrote a loving tribute for Christopher, describing his father as an "extraordinary" person who devoted his life to "his family, his work and his faith."

Though the actor didn't provide other details about his dad's death, he mentioned that Christopher passed away in the early hours of Australia's Father's Day on Sunday, September 5.

According to TMZ, Hugh flew back to his native country from New York in June 2021. The actor's tribute for his father was soon flooded with messages of sympathy, including from his fellow actor and friend, Ryan Reynolds, who said he felt "lucky to have met Chris."

Chris Was Hugh's Rock

The older Jackman hailed from England and moved to Australia in the 1960s with his wife, Grace McNeil. Hugh was born one year after the family's migration as the youngest of five siblings.

When Hugh was eight years old, his parents separated, and his mother went back to England, leaving Christopher to raise his children as a solo parent. The actor has made no secret that his father single-handedly raised him and his brothers and sisters during a very "traumatic" childhood.

In an interview with 60 Minutes in 2012, Hugh revealed that he was praying for his mother to return home. He was nearing 13 years old when he finally realized that his mother was not returning home and the split further divided the family.

His sisters were asked to move to England with their mother, while he and his brothers remained with Christopher. The actor admitted that life was tough for him, but having a good father made things bearable.

"I don't think I could have done that," the actor said in the interview, referring to his dad as a solo parent. "You need an iron will and I never heard him complain about himself or his lot in life."

At last year's Father's Day in the U.S., Hugh also paid a tribute to his dad with an Instagram post. He said that it was through his father that he learned to keep promises and be true to his words. He said that Christopher was his rock who never stopped growing, learning, and working hard.

Healing with His Mom

Despite what happened to his family, Hugh and his mother have patched up their relationship. According to Mamamia, the actor is regularly spotted with his mother in his second home in New York City.

In 2011, Hugh said he has a better understanding of what his mother went through because she suffered from postnatal depression, which was left undiagnosed. Today, the actor said that he has a good relationship with McNeil, and they always connect.

McNeil is still based in England, but she makes it a point to visit her son between his work in the U.S. In an interview with the Great British Life, Hugh said that he does not feel sorry that his childhood was difficult.